Airbus Flight Ops Data Subsidiary Coming to Thailand

Woodrow Bellamy III

[Avionics Today 09-10-2014] Airbus has announced its latest aviation business venture in the Asia Pacific region, a new subsidiary to produce flight operations data for use by airlines. The new center, Airbus Flight Operations Services, will be located in Thailand and will begin operations in early 2015.

Airbus A350 XWB flight deck. Photo: Airbus

According to Airbus, the new center will also be tasked with creating electronic versions of traditional paper-based flight operations manuals. The electronic manuals will be optimized for Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) use for all Airbus aircraft types.

Airbus Flight Operations Services follows a series of moves by Airbus in the Asia Pacific this year since the French airframe manufacturer sees the region as a growth market. Other recent expansion in the region includes the establishment of a new customer service engineering center and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) in Malaysia; a flight training service agreement with Angkasa Aviation Academy in Indonesia; and the launch of a new flight training joint venture with Singapore Airlines.

In February, Airbus released its Asia-Pacific market forecast, projecting a $1.8 trillion market on demand for 10,941 new aircraft deliveries over the next two decades. The company also projects the Asia-Pacific region will lead the world in regional air traffic volumes by 2032.

“As a global company, Airbus seeks to draw on skilled talent from around the world, especially in the services sector," said Benoit de Montety, managing director of Airbus Flight Operations Services. “As a key market for Airbus, South East Asia offers many opportunities for us to develop our presence, with professional and highly motivated workforces keen to develop their footprint in the aviation sector.”

The new subsidiary announcement also comes ahead of the first commercial flight of the new Airbus A350 XWB, which is expected to enter service with Qatar Airways in the fourth quarter. The combination of increased demand for more long haul flights and the establishment of the new flight operations data center in the region could lead to increased orders for the A350 from Asia Pacific operators.